JUNE 27

Gary was feeling much better today! Just a world of difference! The antibiotic shot they gave him must have really went to work. Thank you for your prayers. I can't tell you what it means to me, to know so many daily lift him up in prayer! Thank you!

JUNE 26

Gary woke this morning with a low grade fever and chills so I took him in to see the doctor. They ran blood test which did not show any sign of infection, and a chest xray. The xray did show something on his right lung that could be the start of pneumonia. To be on the safe side, the doctor gave an antibiotic shot and then prescribed more antibiotics for a week. We will follow up with the doctor on Monday. Gary is pretty miserable and a little discouraged since he had just started feeling better before this hit. Hopefully, we were able to catch it early and he will not have any complications from it. Thank you for your prayers!

JUNE 25

PRAY for Gary today. He has been experiencing a low grade fever with chills and just a general unwell feeling. I have talked with his doctor's nurse, and she says if he has the chills to take him into a doctor to have him checked. At this time, the fever has broke and he is feeling better, so will wait and see. He really doesn't want to go into the hospital, but I will take him in if it starts up again. Just keep him in prayer today. Thanks!

JUNE 22

I was out of town Friday and Saturday, leaving Gary with our daughter Sandra. It has been a long time since I felt I could leave him. He is still dependent on help for even simple things like fixing himself a sandwich. When I returned late Saturday night, he told me how that he dropped his reading glasses beside his chair and instead of getting up and reaching for them with his right hand, like he would have in the past, he reached down with his left to see if he could pick them up. And he could! We are seeing a change every week with his hand and it sure is encouraging!

Tomorrow, Gary and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. It will be a special day for us. I have been thanking God for allowing Gary to live long enough to reach this special day. Looking back over the last 30 years, we have discussed the many things we have went through as a couple. We would have never foreseen all the things that God had in store for us. The things we have experienced as a couple, whether good or bad, have made us the way we are.

Recently, someone dear to me, told me they have always been envious of the relationship that Gary and I shared. As much as that is a compliment, I have to say none of us can compare ourselves to others, because we have not been on the same journey as them. The journey that Gary and I have had these 30 years, is unique to us, and made our relationship for what it is.

I am thankful that God brought us together and has been in our life. One of the blessings of Gary going through cancer, was seeing how God worked in our lives and how it brought us even closer and made us stronger. I am asking God to give us another 30+ years together!

JUNE 13

This past week was a busy one with having our son Brian and his wife Kristina visiting us. We enjoyed our time with them so much and was sad to see them head back to Georgia. Gary had his three days of physical therapy and each day he says he feels stronger. Today, I had brought a snow cone home for Gary and as we were sitting on the couch enjoying them, he said, "LOOK!" There he was, holding the Styrofoam cup in his left hand! He has not been able to hold anything for over a year! Pretty exciting to think he has accomplished this with just 6 therapy sessions! Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

JUNE 10

Gary is doing well with the physical therapy. He has noticed an increase in strength already and is encouraged by that. This week, our son Brian and his wife Kristina are visiting. We have enjoyed spending time with them and talking about our newest grandson due in October. I can remember back in November how I was sad to think Gary would not live to see a child of Brian's and now, here we are watching ultrasound videos and discussing names! God is good. Thank you so much for your continued prayers! We appreciate it!

SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX

Sunday School class lead by Terry Weise

Central Baptist Church

Sulphur Springs, TX

JUNE 3

Today, Gary had his first therapy session. He will be going three days a week. The therapist took measurements of Gary's arm and hand and then bent his fingers every which way to determine the extent of his paralysis. It was very painful for Gary to go through. None of this will be pleasant for him, but he knows he has to do it in order to get the use of his hand back. His goal is to be able to grip a golf club. *smile*

His mustache is growing back in and he has felt better in the last few days, just still very weak. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Gary. We need to pray that the cancer stays out of his body and does not return, that he will grow stronger each day and will get the use of his hand back.

MAY 31

It has been awhile since I wrote. I miss doing my daily update! *smile* Gary is still very weak and tires easily. He still has days where he has trouble with nausea. Sometimes, he thinks he will never get well ... so tired of being sick. It will just take time. One new development is he has started to grow hair again on his upper lip.

We have found a physical therapy clinic here in town and after explaining what has happened and what he needs, they say they think they can help him. He will see his doctor here in Tulsa on Tuesday in order to get a referral for insurance purposes in order to start the therapy. Please keep Gary in prayer as he continues to heal and that through physical therapy, he will be able to get the use of his hand back.